Upcoming
Differently
Abled Expo and Spring Fling!
March 31
Florida Atlantic University
500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL
10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic University
500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL
10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
We are pleased to present this
opportunity for you to gain firsthand information from the Agency for Persons
with Disabilities. APD Area 15 Administrator Gerry Driscoll will provide
updates on current issues and future plans.
This free event is open to all families. Registration is not required.
Come for all of the information and assistance. Then stay for the free lunch,
refreshments, door prizes, dancing, and fun!
VSA Florida is hoping everyone will want
to participate in this fantastic Call for Art opportunity for students of all
abilities. Deadline is April 8, 2012 . VSA and CVS Caremark invite
you to submit artwork showing your child's or student's creativity! Explore new
activities, rethink your perceptions, discover yourself as an artist, and
submit your art today!
Promising Pathways: The Road to Best Practice
in Autism
Saturday April 14, 2012
Weekly Conference Call during the 2012 Regular Legislative Session by
The Family to discuss the outcomes of Session for that
week. Each conference call will feature various speakers, community
leaders, legislative experts and local activists that will share a variety of
thought provoking ideas and comments regarding the agencies and programs funded
by the state. Simply call the number below on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (EST).
Your input, suggestions and resource sharing will ultimately make this
community as powerful and productive as it can be. At such a crucial time, we
need to concentrate our strength, power and wisdom in order to insure an
improved quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
4:00 p.m. EST
Activities
Beach Wheelchairs through SMILEMass.
Challenger League
"www.eteamz.com/fmall"
Whispering Pines: Cart,
carriage and wagon Rides in Bonita Springs, FL.
Seeking non-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide physical
and emotional therapeutic events to terminally ill children, children and
adults with physical disabilities, children and adults with special needs, and
elderly adults living in full or assisted living facilities and Hope
Hospice. 239 989-4782 info@whisperingpinesclydesdales.com
Calendar
Communication
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 1
reported that 1 in 10 children (an estimated 1.2 million children across the
UK) have a communication disability. This means that thousands of families may
have to learn additional ways of communicating with their children, whether
through symbol...
http://www.cerebra.org.uk/English/getinformation/dailyliving/Pages/Communicatingwithnon-verbalchildren.aspx
Literacy for Children with Combined Hearing
and Vision Loss: The “All Children Can Read” website is
built on a framework that incorporates stages of literacy development and key
components of reading into instructional strategies for children with dual
sensory challenges. http://literacy.nationaldb.org/index.php/about-this-site/
Conferences
The
14th Annual Family Cafe
will be held June 15-17, 2012 at the Hilton Orlando,
6001 Destination Parkway in Orlando. Visit www.FamilyCafe.net to
register for The 14th Annual Family Cafe. As part of the registration process,
you will also be able to request Financial Assistance to cover the cost of your
hotel stay at the Hilton Orlando. Financial Assistance will be distributed
through a lottery process prior to the event.
http://www.familycafe.net/images/stories/pdffiles/registrationbrochure2012.pdf
COPAA Annual Conference &
Training | Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates | Copaa:
Special Education Rights and Advocacy Conference.
http://www.copaa.org/conference-training/
Disorders
Sensory Processing
Disorder
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
Equipment
and Supplies
Caroline's
Cart:
"Caroline’s Cart is a shopping cart created for special needs children. It
provides parents and caregivers a viable option to transport a child through a
store while grocery shopping, without simultaneously having to maneuver a
wheelchair and a traditional grocery cart" http://www.carolinescart.com
Tummy Tunnels: Until now, there has not been a simple
solution for dressing a child with a feeding tube. ..." http://www.tummytunnels.com/
Exceptional Student Education
Cool Tools in Schools by Education Audio Conferences http://www.educationaudios.com/audioed_7.html
Council for Exceptional Children, The Voice
and Vision of Special Education: The Council for
Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional
organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with
disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate
governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional
development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps
professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective
professional practice. http://www.cec.sped.org
Florida Department of Education: " The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services administers programs for students with disabilities and for gifted students. Additionally, the bureau coordinates student services throughout the state and participates in multiple inter-agency efforts designed to strengthen the quality and variety of services available to students with special needs." http://www.fldoe.org/ese/
Florida's
Transition Project for Infants, Young Children and Their Families assists local
communities in establishing trained teams to develop a seamless system of
transition among agencies providing services to young children with
disabilities, birth to six years of age, and their families.
IDEA (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) - The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law enacted in 1990 and reauthorized in 1997 and 2004. It is designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities by ensuring that everyone receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE), regardless of ability.http://www.help4adhd.org/education/rights/idea
Wrightslaw - How to handle disagreements at the IEP http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/guest/Kerr_Meetings_Progess.htm
Individualized
Learning Plan (ILP)/NCWD Youth:
An individualized learning plan (ILP) is a tool that students in secondary
school use – with support from school counselors and parents – to define...
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp
Special
Ed Connection
" Instantly locate proven strategies, helpful tools,
special education case law, federal statutes/regulations and more — with the
online solution thousands of your colleagues already rely on"
http://www.specialedconnection.com
Diagnosis
Cerebral Palsy Source http://www.cerebralpalsysource.com/
Spastic Quadriplegia, http://www.cerebralpalsysource.com/Types_of_CP/quadriplegia_cp/index.html
The
Special Ed Advocate:
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information
about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with
disabilities. http://www.wrightslaw.com/
Donate
Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization
dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing
nations. We have placed over 600,000 wheelchairs in 83 countries!
http://www.freewheelchairmission.org
Durable Medical Equipment
Convaid: Provide special needs children, adults, and their
families the highest quality compact-folding lightweight wheelchairs.
http://www.convaid.com/
Information
PACER
Center's mission is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of
children and young adults with disabilities and provide family programs.
The
President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities home page.
Home... work
Reading Together: Tips for
Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy | Reading Topics A-Z | Reading Rockets
Cerebral Palsy affects your child's brain. This may
cause difficulty with muscle tone and control. Your child may have delays
speaking or have speech that is hard to understand. Reading with your child and
having your child name objects in the book or read aloud to you can strengthen
his speech skills... http://www.readingrockets.org/article/41116/
International Organizations
Beit
Izzy Shapiro http://www.beitissie.org.il/Eng/?CategoryID=166
Israel's most effective nonprofit and innovator of therapies for
children and adults with disabilities.
Intervention
National Center on Response to Intervention:
Welcome to the one place to find all you need to know about Response to
Intervention. Use the graphic to navigate through and learn about the the
Essential Components of RTI. www.rti4success.org
Learning and Downloadable Sheets
http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/learning-lounge/videos
Sensory
Street: For anyone whose lives are
touched by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), formerly referred to as Sensory
Integration Dysfunction (SID). sensory
streettm offers workshops and seminars to help the community
understand how it feels to live with Sensory Processing issues, and teach
strategies to help these sensory kids regulate and participate.
http://www.sensorystreet.com/free_downloads.html
Legal and Planning
Special Needs Trusts, Why by The
National Special Needs Network http://www.nsnn.com/Why_A_Special_Needs_Trust.htm
Music
Free CCS Classes to
Children with Special Needs
Come Children, Sing! continues to provide free CCS classes for children with special needs. Advanced CCS classes are also provided for these children for no charge, providing as much as four years of music instruction. Tell parents of children with special needs and their support organizations to contact us about free online classes. Contact Us
Come Children, Sing! continues to provide free CCS classes for children with special needs. Advanced CCS classes are also provided for these children for no charge, providing as much as four years of music instruction. Tell parents of children with special needs and their support organizations to contact us about free online classes. Contact Us
News, Networks, Communities
and Forums
Children
With Special Needs This site is run
by parents, for parents. http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/
Children with Special Needs Site with Pamela Wilson: http://www.bellaonline.com/site/specialneedschildren
COPAA Annual Conference &
Training | Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates | Copaa:
Special Education Rights and Advocacy.
http://www.copaa.org/
The
Family Cafe: "The Family
Café exists to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with an
opportunity for collaboration, advocacy, friendship and empowerment by serving
as a facilitator of communication, a space for dialogue and a source of
information." 888-309-CAFE
http://www.familycafe.net/
Florida Center for
Inclusive Communities (FCIC)
at the University of South Florida was established in October 2005 through a
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education,
Research, and Service grant award from the Administration on Developmental
Disabilities. Through leadership in
research and evaluation, theory, policy, capacity building, and practice the
FCIC is committed to developing a range of supports and services in the areas
of Community Supports, Early Childhood, Transition, Education, Employment,
Health, Interdisciplinary Training, Public Policy, and Cultural Competence.
http://flfcic.fmhi.usf.edu/
Florida Father's
Network - Home: Involving fathers in the
lives of children with disabilities Providing a forum for fathers to learn,
voice their thoughts and network with other fathers www.flafathers.com
Life Care Foundation on Disabilities:
Our goal is improving individual outcomes and quality of life to Persons with
Disabilities http://www.lcfond.org/
National
Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: We serve the nation as a central source of
information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth - ESEA
& IDEA (education & special education laws)--research-based information
on effective educational practices http://nichcy.org/
Special
Moms Entrepreneur Club: A Community That Empowers Special Needs Moms
Personally and Professionally www.specialmompreneurs.com
News
and Magazines
HOPELights: We started
HOPELights in an effort to create monthly magazine subscriptions for children
with special needs and to provide inspirational resources for parents,
caretakers, family members and friends who need a little bit of cyber-tlc.
http://www.hopelightmedia.com/
Medicaid Waiver News
http://medicaidwaivernews.blogspot.com
Photography
The Maple Leaf Mission: The Maple Leaf Mission is a registered Not for Profit Society registered in Canada however, we are a truly international organization, The Maple Leaf Mission has board members from Canada, America, Italy and Australia and its current goal is to enlist a vast army of volunteer photographers capable of meeting the ever-growing demand for its services all over the world. http://themapleleafmission.ca/
Poetry
Policy/Government
Partners In Policy Making " Adults who have a developmental
disability • Parents/legal guardians of young children with developmental
disabilities • Men and women representing different ages, experiences, ethnic
groups, and geographical regions of Florida • Highly motivated and enthusiastic
people who want to work for system..."
http://www.fddc.org/news/partners-in-policymaking-2012
Resource Pages
Exceptional Family TV: non-profit
organizations that are specific to your child’s diagnosis. http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/links
PediaStaff CP Links:
http://www.pediastaff.com/resources-cerebral-palsy
Schools
DMF Vocational Campus "The Dan Marino Foundation's plans
for a downtown college for the developmentally disabled could give students the
real-world experiences they need to make it on their own."
http://danmarinofoundation.org/portal/web/guest/dmf-vocational-campus;jsessionid=CAB05216355335076C1670A4FD8558B4
Science
American Academy of Neurology: Study: New Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury Shows Promise in
Animals, article February 19, 2012 - "A new drug is showing promise in shielding
against the harmful effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI)... " http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=1030
Siblings
"Siblings of children with special needs have
special needs themselves. Their sister or brother with special needs will get a
bigger share of attention. While having a special needs sib presents
challenges, it also comes with opportunities. Kids who grow up with a sibling
with special health ..." www.med.umich.edu
Sibs | For brothers and sisters of
disabled children and adults: Sibs is the only UK
charity representing the needs of siblings of disabled people. Siblings have a
lifelong need for information, they often experience social and emotional
isolation, and have to cope with difficult situations... www.sibs.org.uk
SWFL
Partners In Care
(PIC) which is supported by Medicaid funds. PIC is a pilot program in
Lee, Hendry and Glades counties through Hope Hospice
for children with "life altering" illnesses and their families.
Television, Radio, Movies
& Documentaries
Exceptional Family TV: http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/
Including Samuel Documentary: "Before his son Samuel was
diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about
the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every
day. Shot and produced over four years, Habib’s award-winning documentary film,
Including Samuel, chronicles the Habib family’s efforts to include Samuel in
every facet of their lives. The film honestly portrays his family’s hopes and
struggles as well as the experiences of four other individuals with
disabilities and their families. Including Samuel is a highly personal,
passionately photographed film that captures the cultural and systemic barriers
to inclusion." http://www.includingsamuel.com/home.aspx
Special Needs Talk Radio: Simultaneous
chats during broadcasts create real time interaction and engage parents with
others in our welcoming gcommunity of caregivers, experts, hosts and
educators.
http://talkingspecialneeds.com/
Therapy &
Medical
Exercises for Cerebral Palsy:
Feeding
Issues There
are several feeding and gastro issues that a child with special needs may have.
Some of these issues can be addressed with therapy and sometimes a feeding tube
may need to be placed.
http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/index.php/disability-info/104.html
Ventriculoperitoneal
shunting http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003019.htm
Travel
Toys, Play and Accessories
AblePlay http://www.ableplay.org/ Play
Products for Children with Special Needs.
AblePlay Resources - http://www.lekotek.org/resources/links.asp
Kid
Companions Chewelry: SAFE Sensory Chew Necklace Kid Companions Chewelry: Give parents peace of mind & support
their special children who MUST bite, chew or fidget. Kid Companions Chewelry
is BPA, lead, latex, pcv, phthalate free. kidcompanions.com
Trusts, Funds and
Foundations
Dan
Marino Foundation,
http://danmarinofoundation.org/portal/web/guest;jsessionid=9BDDB0076FA5C588B72CFCA0FDAA7128
Understanding
Disability
is Natural: Encourage new ways of thinking about developmental
disabilities.
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com
1 comment:
One resource that I would suggest adding would be the Cerebral Palsy Family Network. It's a great site that has a ton of resources sorted out by geographic area, which has been extremely useful to my own family.
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